Deteriorating law and order situation in AJK: JUI-F seeks Senate’s support to take up matter urgently

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal’s Senator Kamran Murtaza has moved a motion in the Senate Secretariat seeking the intervention of the Upper House of the Parliament to urgently take up the matter involving deteriorating law and order situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) where scores of civilians have allegedly lost their lives in reported clashes with the security forces.

“I hereby invite the attention of the House towards the desperate law and order situation in the country, especially in Mirpur Azad Jammu and Kashmir, from the last two months. According to local civil society and activists, up to 25 to 30 people were killed over consecutive days of violence,” read the motion submitted to the Senate Secretariat on Wednesday.

“Furthermore, the internet blackout remained in place, making it hard to reach local communities; therefore, the Upper House may discuss this important issue urgently,” added the motion moved under Rule 218 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate 2012.

This rule provides that any minister or a member may give notice of a motion that any policy, situation, statement or any other matter may be taken into consideration by the Senate for discussion.

The Senate is presently not in session which implies that Murtaza’s motion can only be taken up once the House in the Senate, and his motion is admitted in the Senate business agenda.

The law and order situation in AJK worsened allegedly after the paramilitary forces sent by the federal government to AJK tried to stop a long march led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The long march, that comprises protestors reportedly in massive numbers, was launched towards Muzaffarabad, the AJK’s capital, from Darek, after negotiations between the protestors and government failed. The protestors, including women and children, have been demanding abolition of 12 seats in AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) who settled in Pakistan. Their other major demands to the government include cutting back on elite privileges, provision of subsidized electricity, education and health reforms in AJK.

Since early June, the protestors, reportedly in hundreds of thousands in number, staged a sit-in in Darek in pursuit of their demands. After the negotiations between the JAAC leadership and reported representatives of the federal government failed, the protestors began moving towards Muzaffarabad earlier on Monday.

Since then, dozens of protestors have reportedly lost their lives in violent skirmishes with the paramilitary forces, Rangers in particular. On the other hand, the government alleges that several security personnel have been fatally targeted by the protestors.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026